A Charitable Shave

Proctor & Gamble has taken their personal care products to a new level with the invention of the new Treo razor. The Gillette blade was first invented in 1901 by King C. Gillette who brought disposable razors to the common people. Although not credited with actually inventing the disposable razor blade, Gillette is credited with bringing cheap, disposable razors to mass marketing.

The new Treo razor was specifically created to help caregivers give their loved ones a nice, close shave without nicks or cuts. Like many women who still like to have their hair done while in long term care, men also like to keep up with their grooming. Looking good helps us feel good. And there’s nothing more satisfying for a guy than a dignified shave. Matt Hodgson (Gillette’s principal design engineer) realized that shaving someone else presents unusual challenges, especially if you’re not a professional barber. I wonder if he’s a caregiver as well? The Treo has a built in tube that dispenses a water based gel so if you’re giving someone a shave somewhere besides the bathroom, you can still lather up with the right mix of lather and water. Additionally, the handle has an adjusted angle of the blade so caregivers can use the razor like a paintbrush. This makes it easier to use without nicking the person you’re shaving. And we all appreciate that.

And to top this all off – P & G mailed more than 60,000 new razors to dozens of caregiving facilities in the UK and US as well as 21,000 people in order to get feedback on their new design.

Bravo to P&G and Gillette and personal thank you to Matt Hodgson for thinking about caregivers and those being cared for.